Roofing-tool.



F. J. DITTRIGH.

ROOFING TOOL.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 27, 1910.

Patented Feb. 13, 1912.

WITNESSES ATTORNEY NOORAPH c0 UNITED STATES PAT QFFICE.

FERDINAND J. DITTR-IGH, OF PHILADELPI-IIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

ROOFING-TOOL.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, FERDINAND J. Drr'rmen, a citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Roofing-Tools, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a new and useful improvement in roofing tools, and has for its object to provide an exceedingly simple and effective device of this character whereby a marking string may be fastened to the end of a strip of roofing tin so that the other end may be carried by a mechanic, thus enabling him to mark the tin without the necessity of having a helper.

The tin which is used for roofing purposes is manufactured in long sheets, then rolled for convenience in handling. hen placing this tin upon a roof it is necessary to measure off portions to cut the same, and as the tin has a tendency to always roll it requires a helper to hold the end down fiat, and to also hold the chalked string used for marking. By the use of my improved tool which broadly consists of a clamp and weight, the end of the tin is held down, while one end of the string is held at the correct point, allowing the mechanic to walk to the opposite end of the tin and mark the same.

I will describe my invention as being particularly adapted for the use of tin roofers, but it may also be used for holding wire fly screening, poultry wire and other similar materials.

With these ends in view, this invention consists in the details of construction and combination of elements hereinafter set forth and then specifically designated by the claims.

In order that those skilled in the art to which this invention appertains may understand how to make and use the same, I will describe its construction in detail, referring by letter to the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of a tool made in accordance with my improvement, and Fig. 2, a side elevation thereof, showing the marking string or tape attached thereto.

In carrying out my invention as here embodied, I employ a clamp having spring actuated jaws and having secured thereto a Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed June 27, 1910.

Patented Feb. 13, 1912.

Serial No. 569,055.

weight of sutlicient size to securely hold the material on which the tool is being used.

A represents the clamp composed of a lower jaw B having an extension or handle C extending rearwardly therefrom, the end of said extension or handle being bent upon itself to form the hook D.

E denotes the upper jaw having a handle F extending rearwardly therefrom and provided with a projection G in which is formed the perforation H for the reception of one end of the measuring cord or chalk line I. The lower aw B is made of greater width than the upper jaw E so that the front edge of said upper jaw engages the upper face of the lower jaw some distance rearwardly of its front edge, thus forming from said lower jaw what is termed a guide J for the ready insertion of the tin or other material between the aws of the clamp. These jaws are normally held in engagement by the spring K.

On the extension or handle C is mounted the weight L, said anchor weight being of any desired size and configuration to suit the different conditions of its use.

In practice the end of a roll of tin is placed upon the guide J of the lower jaw, it being understood that the upper jaw has been opened against the action of the spring K and pushed rearwardly, at which time the handle F of the upper jaw is released, thus holding the tin securely between the jaw. The weight L holds the end of the tin down and prevents it from rolling up, while the opposite end or roll of tin is being unrolled, one end of the measuring cord or chalk line I being fastened in the projection G, the opposite end may be carried by the mechanic, and when a sufiicient amount of the tin has been unrolled it may be readily marked with the chalk line.

By the use of the tool as just described the services of a helper are eliminated, and at the same time does away with the necessity of placing nails in that part of the tin which has been laid for holding the string while marking the next piece of tin, and when nails are used in this manner it is necessary for the mechanic to draw the nails and solder the'holes made thereby. Should the weight be insufficient to hold down the end of the tin, the hook D may be inserted beneath aportion of the roof which has already been fastened in place, or it may be attached to the edge of the roof or other suitable place where the hook can be attaehed.

Ott ooiiirse I do not wish to be limited to the exact details of construction here shown, as these may be varied within the limits of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of my iIlYOIltiOl'l.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and useful, is

1. In a roofing tool, the combination with a clamp comprising an upper and lower jaw, the lower jaw being of greater width than the upper one, the point of contactof the narrow jaw being about midway the width of the wider jaw, a perforated lug formed with said upper jaw, a rearwardly extending handle formed with each of said jaws, the handle of the lower jaw being bent to produce a hook, said handle adapted to hold a weight, a spring for normally holding the jaws in engagement, and a marking cord secured to the lug formed with the upper jaw.

2. In a roofing tool a clamp comprising two coacting jaws, one of said jaws being oi greater width than the other, the narrower t jaw contacting with the wider jaw about; midway the width of said wider jaw, a lug Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents having a perforation therein formed with the narrower jaw niterinedlate its length,

handles formed with said jaws, one of said handles adapted to carry a weight, and a spring for normally holding the jaws closed.

3. In a rooting tool a clamp composed of a pair of coacting jaws of dilterent widths causing the edge of the narrower aw to enholding the edge of the narrower jaw in contact with the face of the wider jaw.

In testimony whereoi', I have hereunto athxed my signature in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FERDINAND J. DITlRICl I.

Witnesses JOHN J 01m A. YEAGER, T. Rumour.

each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, D. C. 

